Spring 2025 Newsletter

Introducing our New College Campus, Opening 2026

Cardiff Sixth Form College, part of the Dukes Education family, is moving to a brand-new, state-of-the-art campus in Cardiff Bay in the autumn of 2026 and we are thrilled to share the first digital images of our stunning new college and boarding complex.

The 17-storey boarding centre, currently under construction, will offer breathtaking views of Cardiff Bay, while our new college building, located right opposite the Millennium Centre, will beautifully blend history with modern innovation. With repurposed historic buildings and cutting-edge facilities including advanced science labs, a spacious dining hall, and an inspiring assembly hall, our new home is designed for excellence.

College Principal, Tom Arrand, said, “This is a monumental project which many people have worked hard to achieve. It will enable Cardiff Sixth Form College to grow not just in size but in profile. This bold and ambitious move will secure a wonderful future for our already successful school, with the continued support of Dukes Education.”

CEO of Dukes Education, Tim Fish, said, “Already the UK’s leading independent school for A-level results, this expansion allows us to welcome even more bright minds into our world-class learning environment.”

Dukes Festival of the Arts at Royal Festival Hall

On Tuesday, 4th February, Cardiff Sixth Form College’s orchestra performed at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall in London as part of the Dukes Festival of the Arts. The event marked the ten-year anniversary of Dukes Education and brought together a crowd of over two thousand attendees.

The students delivered a captivating performance that highlighted the dedication, skill, and passion they have nurtured under the guidance of our exceptional music staff. The entire CSFC community could not be more proud of their talent and teamwork on such a grand stage.

A special highlight of the evening was the performance by Yvonne, a Year 12 student and finalist in the Young Musician of the Year competition. While Yvonne did not take home the title, her performance on the marimba left a lasting impression on all in attendance. Her technical precision and artistry demonstrated why she was chosen as a finalist, and she continues to inspire us with her dedication to her craft.

Video highlights of the event can be viewed here

TEDx

Intellectual curiosity took centre stage during this year’s TEDx event, ‘Fragile Truths’.  In an age of misinformation and disinformation, this theme has never been more relevant.

A rapt audience was encouraged to think deeply about issues including global health inequality, the complexities of brain development, political disengagement and how language shapes identity.

We thank Thara, Jolie, Vitaly, Malika, Jun, Alex, Sophie and Wenli for their beautifully crafted talks. Expertly hosted by Anneka, Kushi, Suhaani and Victor, this was a thought provoking afternoon which certainly met TED’s message of conveying ‘ideas worth spreading’.

GLEE CLUB 2025 -High School Musical JR

This year’s Cardiff Sixth Form College Glee Club production of High School Musical JR.  nothing short of outstanding! The show was a vibrant, high-energy celebration of student creativity and talent, showcasing the incredible dedication, passion, and hard work that went into every scene and musical number.

Our students brought their characters to life with enthusiasm, confidence, and a flair for performance. The audience was treated to dynamic choreography, heartfelt solos, and an electric atmosphere that made for an unforgettable evening. It was clear that the performers had spent months perfecting their craft, and the end result was truly something to be proud of.

Watching our students grow over the past few months—both as performers and individuals—has been a deeply inspiring journey. These opportunities for creative expression not only foster artistic talent but also build essential life skills like teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence.

We at Cardiff Sixth Form College are incredibly proud of everyone involved and can’t wait to see what our Glee Club will come up with next year. Bravo to all!

2025 Eisteddfod

CSFC recently hosted its annual Eisteddfod at The Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. This traditional Welsh festival of the arts features competitions where musicians, singers, dancers and poets compete for their Houses with this year’s winners being Parry House.

The overall performance quality was truly exceptional with all performers offering a truly magical display of their talents. Dr Despontin, Governor of CSFC, judged the poetry competition and offered a beautiful summary of the distinguished entries. Congratulations to Maya who was named this year’s ‘Bard’.

The instrumental, singing and dance performances were judged by Mr Mario Conway, a distinguished musician and former Director of Music who was astonished by the depth of talent within our student body. Many congratulations to Kushi (dance), Aiyla (vocals) and Hiya & Brice (instrumental) for winning their categories. Christopher (instrumental) won the audience award and Hiya & Brice were the overall ‘blue riband’ performers on the day.

This really was a memorable occasion which showcased the phenomenal talents of our student body.